• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.205-213
• /
• 2013

Forest fires disturb communities of forest-dwelling insects by killing or dispersal. Species diversity, species composition, and functional guilds of ant communities will be changed following forest fires. A survey of ants was conducted to find changes in ant communities after a large fire occurred in Goseong within Gwangwon province in South Korea in 1996. In total, 1,308 ants representing 16 species were collected; 696 ants representing 15 species were collected at the burned site, and 612 ants representing 13 species were collected at the unburned site. Contrary to the general expectation which predicts a decrease of diversity and abundance after fire, abundance, species diversity, species composition, and functional guilds of ant communities did not differ between the burned site and the unburned site. Furthermore, estimated species richness was significantly higher at the burned site than at the unburned site. However, monthly occurrences of ants (abundant species and pooled) were different between the burned site and the unburned site. Ants were more abundant at the burned sites than the unburned site just after the fire (May 1996). However, they were more abundant at the unburned site than the burned site in autumn (September and October 1996). This phenomenon might be caused by environmental change (e.g., decrease of soil moisture). In conclusion, the fire did not significantly change ant fauna, as fire in spring cannot destroy ant colonies that are wintering in deep soils.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.223-229
• /
• 2017

This study analyzed the relationship between environmental factors and the temporal changes of the bird populations during the every January from 1999 to 2016 (18 years) in Donglim reservoir. 'Winter Waterbird Census of Korea' data by National Institute of Biological Resources were used for the bird population data, and principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used to analyze the changes of annual population. The average temperature of January and the average storage rate of the reservoir were used as environmental factors. According to the results of the study, the population changes in the study area can be explained by the increase and decrease of two water bird groups and a mountain bird group. The average temperature of the years when the population of water bird groups increased was more than $1.4^{\circ}C$ in comparison with the year when mountain birds increased. On the other hand, the influence of the water content was not clear. The visiting of Baikal Teal affected by temperature was a factor affecting the other group of water bird and a mountain bird group. The results of this study suggest that the temperature change affects the global spatial distribution of birds and the migration of large population species such as Baikal Teal affects species composition and populations of birds at local scale. Therefore, understanding of environmental changes at large scale and spatial distribution of species and flock contributes to understand the temporal variation of the bird population at regional or local scales.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.516-525
• /
• 2011

We studied the influence certain environmental factors (proximity of roosting site, roads, and residential areas) have on the spatial distribution of cranes in the Cheorwon, Korea. Using a range finder and GPS, data were collected from January to February 2007 and were subsequently evaluated with ArcGIS. The size of the cranes' wintering habitat was estimated to be 7$76.9km^2$. Five hundred and fifty-five flocks of cranes were observed and detailed distributions were collected. Feeding distribution of the cranes showed clustered distribution, however, no tendencies of spatial autocorrelation were apparent. Adjacent regions with paved roads and residences showed lower densities than other areas. Distances at which paved roads and residential areas induced changes in feeding flock densities were 1500m and 1750m, respectively. Feeding flock density decreased with increased distance from roosting site. Feeding flock density of the two crane species did not increase as distance from roads increased, however, the density of individuals showed a significant increasing tendency with increased distance from roads. In both species, density of feeding flocks and individuals significantly increased with increasing distance from residential areas. In Red-crowned Cranes, the density of feeding flocks and individuals significantly decreased with increasing distance from roosting site, however, in the case of White-naped Cranes, there was an even distribution in density of feeding flocks and individuals.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.256-260
• /
• 2018

Cannibalism is a widely observed phenomenon in the animal kingdom. However, it is rarely found among birds outside nests in the wild because it occurs irregularly and it is almost impossible to monitor animal behavior constantly. On 17 January 2017, this behavior was directly observed from a group of vultures feeding on a conspecific in a paddy field near Lake Geumho in Haenam-gun ($34^{\circ}35^{\prime}58.25^{{\prime}{\prime}}N$, $126^{\circ}26^{\prime}57.64^{{\prime}{\prime}}E$). It was observed and recorded with the binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens in a car approximately 20 m (or 60 m) away from the site. The observer approached the feeding site after the last vulture had finished feeding and flown away and found remains of a vulture, including body feathers, skull, sterna keel, and both legs. It was the first report of cannibalism in Cinereous vulture Aegypius monachus in its overwintering grounds. The remaining skeleton was very fleshy, and the surrounding grass was wet with the blood of vulture. No other traces of a mammal or bird that could have been the vultures' prey were found. This report provides a detailed account of the events related to this rare observation and the causes that might have led to it.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.98-105
• /
• 2021

Understanding the migration patterns and habitats of juvenile birds during the post-fledging stage is very important for conservation and management of individuals. The Chinese Egret is an internationally protected species. During the wintering season, they inhabit South-East Asia, such as the Philippines, Malaysia, and Taiwan, and breed in China, Russia, and uninhabited islands on the west coast of Korea. IIn this study, we attached a GPS telemetry tracking device to six juvenile Chinese Egrets breeding on Chilsan Archipelago in 2018 and 2019 to identify habitats by analyzing the home range during the post-fledging stage in the summer season. The individual CE1801 moved north and then returned to the Yeonggwang Baeksu tidal flat area, and CE1802 and CE1803 migrated north and inhabited Taean-gun. In 2019, CE1901 showed a similar pattern to CE1801, and CE1902 migrated southward to the Wando-gun area, while CE1903 moved south to the Sinan-gun area then returned to the Yeonggwang Baeksu tidal flat area, showing KDE 50%. The study results confirmed that the Chinese Egret moved broadly around the flat tidal area on the west coast to find a stable habitat during the post-fledging stage. Efforts to protect the habitat, such as limiting the development of this area and restricting human access, are necessary.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.258-272
• /
• 2014

Bats hibernating in caves and unused mines were surveyed during six hibernation periods (from December to February, 2005 and 2011) in Korea. We recorded 13,288 individuals of 11 species at 140 hibernacula (60 caves and 80 abandoned mines): Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (n=3,509), Eptesicus serotinus (n=6), Hypsugo alaschanicus (n=349), Miniopterus fuliginosus (n=5,919), Murina hilgendorfi (n=417), Myotis aurascens (n=294), Myotis bombinus (n=2), Myotis formosus (n=401), Myotis macrodactylus (M.mac, n=151), Myotis petax (n=2,131) and Plecotus ognevi (n=109). We studied the thermal preference and selection of hibernacula of seven dominant bat species. Four species (Myotis petax, Hypsugo alaschanicus, Plecotus ognevi and Murina hilgendorfi) hibernated mainly at the cold site below than $7^{\circ}C$, while three species (Myotis formosus, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Miniopterus fuliginosus) hibernated at warm site above than $7^{\circ}C$. Rhinolophus ferrumequinum had broad-ranged temperature zone for their hibernating site. The mean body temperature of each species was $2.64{\pm}0.98^{\circ}C$ for Murina hilgendorfi, $2.76{\pm}1.68^{\circ}C$ for Hypsugo alaschanicus, $2.78{\pm}0.98^{\circ}C$ for Plecotus ognevi, $4.52{\pm}1.02^{\circ}C$ for Myotis petax, $7.83{\pm}1.94^{\circ}C$ for Miniopterus fuliginosus, $9.19{\pm}2.35^{\circ}C$ for Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and $13.64{\pm}0.76^{\circ}C$ for Myotis formosus, respectively. The body temperatures of hibernating bats were closely related to the rock surface temperatures rather than the ambient temperatures. In conclusion, the diversity of bats community in hibernacula were closely related to the range of inner ambient temperature of hibernacula, and more species of bats were occupied at sites presenting a broad range of ambient temperatures.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.99-105
• /
• 2020

Migratory birds use a variety of breeding and wintering sites, and it is particularly important to understand more information on breeding and feeding sites for the conservation and management of endangered species. Black-faced spoonbills (Platalea minor) are an international endangered species distributed in East Asia. The majority of black-faced spoonbills breed on uninhabited islets off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula during the breeding season, and they are distributed in East Asia such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, southern China, Japan, and Jeju island during the winter season. In this study, we used a wild animal location tracking system to analyze and compare home ranges of three black-faced spoonbills spending the post-fledging stage in Gujido islet in Incheon and Chilsando islet in Yeonggwang each in 2015. The tree black-faced spoonbills in Guji islet showed a home range in coastal areas in Hwanghaenam-do and Gangneung-gun. The home range size (mean±SD) was estimated to be 425.49±116.95 ㎢ using 100% MCP, 43.61±18.51 ㎢ using KDE 95%, and 7.46±3.68 ㎢using KDE 50%. The tree black-faced spoonbills in Chilsando islet showed a home range in the Baeksu tidal flat and the Buan Saemangeum area with a size of 99.38±55.29 ㎢ using 100% MCP, 19.87±6.05 ㎢ using KDE 95%, and 1.16±0.53 ㎢ using KDE 50%. The figured indicated that the tree black-faced spoonbills breeding in Gujido islet had a wider home range than those breeding in Chilsando islet. During the post-fledging stage, the home ranges of black-faced spoonbills were mostly breeding in mudflats. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize human intervention, such as the construction of roads and structures and the human access, to protect the habitats during the period.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.199-206
• /
• 2005

Estuary islets should be managed systematically because they are important places for birds to rest and breed. This paper investigates the environmental properties of islets where the sand banks are located from east to west on the southernmost of Nakdong estuary during a year (September 2003 $\sim$ August 2004). The research showed that 59 species and 19,148 individuals were found in the area A (Jangja Shinja-Do) and 61 species and 28,394 individuals in the area B (Saja-Do; Beakhapdeung Doyodeung). Totally, 74 species and 47,539 individuals were observed in both of this estuary. Shorebirds are the most observed species in both areas. In area, most of individuals were especially observed in the spring when Shorebirds migrate northward for breeding. In B area, various species were also observed in the fall when they migrate southward for wintering. Therefore, many groups of birds are observed around Shinja-Do in the spring. They passed the winter in Doyodueng, associated with feeding in the main stream of Nakdong river mainly. Although the southernmost sand bar is the breeding place to access to outside without interception, invasion by human beings and predators (mice, weasels and etc.) gives a fatal blow for birds to breed or rest. The reed which is a tall herbaceous plant is flourished according to the process of ecological succession. Therefore, the sand bar becomes a land. It results in reduction of habitats and breeding grounds for birds. In conclusion, these areas where birds can use the islets as habits and breeding places must be preserved by restraining luxuriance of reeds and systematic management of human beings and predators is necessary.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.104-116
• /
• 2019

Background: The composition of wild bird populations in temperate zones greatly varies depending on phenological changes rather than other environmental factors. Particularly, wild birds appearing in wetlands fluctuate greatly due to the crossover of species arriving for breeding during the summer and for wintering. Therefore, to understand the changes to species composition related to phenology, we conducted this basic analysis of populations to further the cause of the protection of wetland-dependent wild birds. Methods: It is wrong to simply divide a wild bird population investigation into seasons. This study identifies species composition and indicator species that change along with seasons. Wetlands to be surveyed are protected by natural monuments and wetland inventory and are in a state close to nature. In order to identify as many species as possible in wetlands, a survey was conducted in both shallow and deep wetlands. The water depth varied in these areas, ranging from 0.2 to 2.0 m, allowing for both dabbling and diving ducks to inhabit the area. Surveys were conducted using line-transect and distance sampling methods and were conducted at intervals of 2 weeks. The survey was conducted under the following three categories: the eco-tone and emergent zone, the submergent zone, and the water surface. The survey was conducted along a wetland boundary by observing wild birds. A PC-ord program was used for clustering, and the SAS program was used to analyze the changes in species composition. The data strongly indicates that day length is the main factor for seasonal migration periods, despite the fact that climate change and increasing temperatures are often discussed. Results and conclusions: The indicator species for determining seasons include migrant birds such as Ardea cinerea, Alcedo atthis, Anas penelope, and Poiceps ruficollis, as well as resident birds such as Streptopelia orientalis and Emberiza elegans. Importantly, increases in local individual counts of these species may also serve as indicators. The survey results of seasonal fluctuations in temperate zones shows that spring (April to June), summer (July to September), autumn (October), and winter (November to March) are clearly distinguishable, even though spring and summer seasons tend to overlap, leading to the conclusion that additional research could more clearly identify fluctuation patterns in species composition and abundance in the study area.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.123-128
• /
• 2014

We carried out an ecological survey for Ceratovacuna japonica, which lives in bamboos, at the experimental field of National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon and the several natural fields in Korea from 2010 to 2011. The releasing methods of C. japonica on Pseudosasa japonica was more effective at the brushing-off method than the pining-attached method. The successful rate of releasing was the highest at green house than others such as at outdoor, vinyl green house and in a insects net conditions. The survival limit of C. japonica was closely associated with the lowest temperature ($-10^{\circ}C$) of vegetative limit of P. japonica for over wintering because of two fields of Ilsan lake park and Guri ecological park showed falling down below $-15^{\circ}C$ two times in January. It provides for a reasonable distribution information of C. japonica that is restricted to south of Han River. However, the middle of Korea has rarely fallen down below $-10^{\circ}C$. Therefore, we consider that a successful rearing of C. japonica may be the most suitable in green house condition to overcome winter period.